Lost a filling? Don't panic. Fillings can fall out or get lost for a number of reasons.
Losing a filling can be frustrating but it's easy to fix and isn't usually considered a dental emergency. However if left untreated, a lost filling can go on to cause more serious problems to your oral health.
Symptoms of a lost filling
When you lose a filling or a filling falls out it might not always be obvious, especially if the filling is small.
If you've lost a filling you may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain in the tooth that has been filled
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food
- You may feel a hard object in your mouth when you bite on hard food
- You may notice a gap or hole in your tooth
Causes of a lost filling
Fillings can fall out or get lost due to a number of reasons. It's common to lose a filling from a sporting injury or you could lose a filling from biting food that's too hard.
Fillings can also fall out due to tooth decay around the restored tooth, or simply because you've had that filling for many years.
If you think you might have lost a filling you should book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Have questions?
Don't panic. It's possible to lose a filling from a few different causes. Some may be more obvious than others. When you lose a filling don't wait too long as it could turn into something more serious. We recommend booking in to see a dentist as soon as possible once you've noticed the filling has fallen out.
The cost of repairing or replacing a lost filling will vary depending on the condition of your tooth and the difficulty of repairing it. Your dentist will be able to give you an estimate of the cost once they have assessed your teeth.
A lost filling isn't usually a dental emergency however we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further issues from occurring. If you are experiencing unbearable pain from the lost filling, you can request an emergency appointment with your dentist.
Once you lose a filling it is important to book an appointment with your dentist as soon possible to prevent further issues occurring. If you are experiencing pain you can help manage it in the meantime with over-the-counter pain medication.
We get it. We’re New Zealand’s largest group of dentists so we’ve seen more scared patients than any other dental practice in the country. For most people who are scared about visiting the dentist it’s because they’ve had a bad experience in the past. Relax. Our gentle and compassionate dentists understand how you feel. Whether you’re anxious or worried about experiencing more pain or the potential cost of the treatment, the best thing to do is to let us know how you feel. Making sure you feel comfortable is part of our job.